Lavern Duane Nordby

On June 23, 2020, Lavern Duane Nordby walked into the loving arms of Jesus, after a courageous 20 month battle against cancer.

Lavern Duane Nordby was born on May 2, 1953, in Perham, MN, to Donald and Irene (Hepola) Nordby.  Lavern lived the first 8 years of his life in Menahga, MN, before moving with his family to Dilworth, MN, in 1961.  He attended Dilworth Elementary and High School, graduating in 1971.  He played basketball, football, and excelled at the baritone saxophone, being all state.

Lavern worked for Ystebo Drywall until 1973 at which time he left to attend Airline School in Connecticut.   That was the start of his 35 years with the airline industry.  He started in Chicago, IL, for North Central Airlines and travelled around to different locations as a relief agent.  It was while in Green Bay, WI, he met the “love of his life”, Teri Huxford.  They married September 20, 1975, and moved to Chicago, IL, before moving to Moorhead, MN, in 1978.  He retired from Delta Airlines at the age of 55 going on to work for Sanford Hospital until retiring at the age of 65.

Lavern was very athletic and played on many different leagues.  Softball, bowling, billiards, horseshoe, darts, and racquetball to name a few.  His main passion was golf, and was a longtime member of The Meadows, in Moorhead.   He loved to get together with friends, especially hosting pinnacle parties with the guys, and playing cribbage.  Lavern loved to deer hunt, starting at the young age of 12 and long into his adult life.  In 1987 he won first place in the Menahga Big Buck Contest with a 12-point, 230 pound buck.  Lavern liked to travel with his family, especially to areas with different golf courses.  He was our designated travel guide, and took joy using his experience from his airline career to guide us on our many family vacations.  He always took pride in keeping everything in his home and yard in excellent shape.

Lavern was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his wife, Teri; daughters, Tarra (Kenneth) Hilde and Heather (Mitchell) Fuchs; grandchildren, Briauna, Alex, Jennifer, and Brooklyn; his mother, Irene Nordby; brother, Ron (Janet) Nordby; sister, Diane Anderson; many nephews, nieces, cousins, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and his childhood and best friend Charles Richter, along with Charles’ brother, Scott Richter, and many other dear friends.

Lavern was preceded in death by his father, Donald; paternal grandparents, Edwin & Esther Nordby; maternal grandparents, Henry & Elma Hepola; father and mother-in-law, William and Rose Huxford; sister-in-law, Lynn Welsing; brother-in-law, Robert Huxford; nephews, Bob Welsing Jr.,  Andrew John Huxford, and Jason Huxford.

Lavern walked the journey of his cancer diagnosis with bravery, grace, and positivity.  His light shown bright to all he met along the way.

Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M., followed by the prayer service at 6:00 P.M., Monday, July 13th, 2020, at Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church, Moorhead, MN. Visitation will continue from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., followed by the memorial service at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 14th, 2020, at the church. A private family graveside service will be held at Riverside Cemetery, Glyndon, MN, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, we ask memorials to be directed to the Roger Maris Cancer Center and Sanford Hospice.